Hart Kelly - The Mistresses of Henry VIII

1509: On St. Georges Day, Henry was officially proclaimed King Henry VIII. He was described as a youngling, he cares for nothing but girls and hunting. Within weeks, the new seventeen-year-old king had married his brothers widow, the pretty twenty-three-year-old Princess Katherine of Aragon. Henry seemed enamoured with his new wife.

1510: The first rumours surfaced of Henrys affairs with other women; in this year a scandal arose from his affair with Lady Anne Stafford, the married sister of the Duke of Buckingham. This relationship may have continued over the next three years.

1513: Henry invaded France and spent time at Margaret of Austrias court, much of it in the company of tiennette de la Baume.

1514: There were the first suggestions of affairs with Bessie Blount, Elizabeth Carew and Jane Popincourt. Cracks were beginning to show in the royal marriage and there were the first rumours of an annulment.

1516: Jane Popincourt, with a generous leaving present from Henry, returned to France to join her former lover, the duc de Longueville. Katherine of Aragon finally gave birth to a child who would survive to adulthood, Princess Mary.

1517: Around this year, Henry began an affair with his wifes young maid of honour, Bessie Blount.

1519: Bessie gave birth to Henrys only (acknowledged) illegitimate child, Henry Fitzroy.

1522: A marriage was arranged for Bessie Blount, which probably marked the end of her affair with the king. There were rumours she was replaced by Mistress Parker. Around this time, he became involved with another lady-in-waiting, Mary Boleyn.

1524: Mary Boleyn gave birth to a daughter, Catherine Carey.

1525: Henry ceased to cohabit with his wife, Katherine of Aragon, who was then thought to be beyond childbearing. His relationship with Mary Boleyn came to an end. Henry gave his illegitimate son, Henry Fitzroy, several titles, including duke of Richmond and Somerset. There were rumours from then on that Fitzroy was being groomed as the next king of England.

1526: Mary Boleyn gave birth to a son, Henry Carey, who was later rumoured to be the kings child. The King declared his love for Marys sister, Anne.

1527: Henry proposed to Anne Boleyn and initiated annulment proceedings to rid himself of the ageing Queen Katherine. Cardinal Wolsey, the Kings chief minister, initiated ecclesiastical proceedings against Henrys ex-mistress, Lady Anne Stafford, for adultery with Henrys close friend, Sir William Compton.

1532: Around December, Anne Boleyn became pregnant by Henry.

1533: Henry married Anne in a secret ceremony, although his first marriage had not yet been annulled. Princess Elizabeth was born in September.

1534: The first rumours began of Henrys infidelity with a very handsomeyoung lady at court. She was said to be popular with the conservative faction and corresponding with Henrys daughter Mary.

1535: Henry embarked on a six-month affair with Anne Boleyns cousin, Mary Shelton.

1536: Henry attempted to make another maid of honour, Jane Seymour, his mistress. She refused unless he could offer her marriage. Queen Anne was arrested for treason, incest and adultery and executed. Eleven days later, Henry married Jane.
It was reported that Henry regretted his marriage to Jane once he had seen two new ladies at court.
Henrys illegitimate son, the duke of Richmond, died aged seventeen, leaving Henry inconsolable.

1537: Queen Jane died giving birth to the future Edward VI. There were no further rumours of Henry having extramarital affairs, except those which led to marriage. He was forty-six years old.

1538: Henry began looking for a fourth wife. Mary Skipwith and Mary Shelton were considered to be contenders, as well as several princesses.

1540: Henry married Anne of Cleves, but was unwilling to consummate the union. After six months, the marriage was annulled and he wed Annes teenage maid of honour, Catherine Howard.

1542: Catherine Howard was executed for adultery. Henry was rumoured to be considering Elizabeth Brooke or Anne Bassett as her replacement.

1543: Henry married Katheryn Parr.

1546: Henry agreed that Queen Katheryn should be arrested for heresy, although he later changed his mind. It was rumoured that Henry wished to replace Katheryn with her close friend, Katherine Willoughby, duchess of Suffolk.

1547: There was an attempt to make Lady Mary Howard the kings daughter-in-law his mistress, so she could then control Henry and Prince Edward.
Those involved in this scheme were sentenced to be executed.
Henry VIII died and was buried, as he had instructed, next to Jane Seymour, his true wife.

Pastime with good company,

I love, and shall until I die.

Grudge who will, but none deny,

So God be pleased, thus live will I.

For my pastance:

Hunt, sing, and dance,

My heart is set!

All goodly sport,

For my comfort,

Who shall me let?

Youth must have some dalliance,

Of good or ill some pastance.

Company methinks them best,

All thoughts and fancies to digest.

For idleness,

Is chief mistress

Of vices all:

Then who can say,

But mirth and play,

Is best of all?

Company with honesty,

Is virtue, vice to flee.

Company is good and ill,

But every man has his free will.

The best ensue,

The worst eschew,

My mind shall be:

Virtue to use,

Vice to refuse,

Thus shall I use me!

Written by Henry VIII